Gartner analysts are predicting that Microsoft's OpenXML format, which has been awaiting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approval, more than likely will not be approved by the standards body. Gartner's reasoning is based on the OpenDocument Format's recent certification by ISO at the beginning of May.

Although it would be rare for ISO to accept two XML document formats now, Microsoft still has plans for submitting its OpenXML to ISO after it is approved by the Ecma International Technical Committee. Regardless of ISO's endorsement, Microsoft is going to push the format as far as it can in hopes of overcoming this setback. If Gartner's estimate that, by 2010, 50 percent of government and 20 percent of commercial organizations will require ODF document exchange, then Microsoft has very little chance of success with OpenXML outside the world of its own Office users.

Nevertheless, ODF's standardization doesn't mean less Microsoft Office customers. Earlier this month, the OpenDocument Foundation, Inc. released the ODF Plugin for Microsoft Office. The ODF Plugin has been seen by many as an advantage to Microsoft because companies can still use Microsoft Office while leveraging the ODF format. As far as Microsoft's next move goes, the company should continue to support its OpenXML format, but also open its arms to ODF. By happily supporting both formats, the company can not only look good to its customers and the open source community, but it can also do a service to Office users everywhere by giving them the freedom of choice. Conspiracy theories aside, ODF could be wildly powerful with Microsoft's backing, but would they even want it? Probably not.